In this year’s edition we took our inspiration from two Belgian styles: Saisons and Golden Triples. As such, the Stone 07.07.07 Vertical Epic has a deep, deep golden hue and the flavor is spicy, fruity, complex and refreshing. We used four different malts, and a subtle, yet distinct, blend of Glacier and Crystal hops to get just the right balance. Then, for the complexity, we added in some exotic spices --- including ginger, cardamom, grapefruit peel, lemon peel and orange peel (the latter three acknowledging our Southern California home) --- and a special Belgian yeast strain. All in all this is yet another case of us drawing from classic Belgian influences and cavalierly making it our own...San Diego style!

I know Stone added some citrus peel to give this beer a San Diego spin, but, to me, thought the beer hit the Belgian style dead-on. In a blind taste test, I don't think I could distinguish this from a native product. Also, unlike others in the series, I think this beer is ready to drink right now - and I'm curious to see what some age does with it. A little sharp at the front, with some yeasty, fruity notes in the middle. Alcohol is present but not obtrusive. Nicely executed.

Poured this 22 oz. brown bottle into a Tripel Karmeliet glass. The body was a bright golden orange color with some chill haze that cleared as it warmed. The head was moderate and faded to a ring, which was revived with a swirl.

3-finger, cream-colored head with chewy texture and pronounced pour seams bordering translucent natural honey-colored body. Natural carbonation is plentiful. Despite how enticing this may sound, the look of the entire package isn't awe-inspiring.

Beautiful Belgian aroma of banana ester, sweet ginger and malt-carbonation brings tingle to the nose. Vanilla and butterscotch complement the...ummm..."nasal viscosity" of the offering. With warmth, slight citrus and zest emerge along with subtle spices that are tough to place.

Sweet and silky texture of deep malt character a fair amount of banana with a modest alcohol burn; citrus and zest (with a little yeast) emerge has helped by the carbonation. Slight supple leather taste - tanginess and alcohol mix on back of palate. Stewed malt - maybe cherries - on the finish.

Even-keeled mouthfeel - relatively balanced and well-craften. Minute alcohol burn. Complex yet extremely subtle; even though I can read the ingredients on the label it's difficult to pick them out.

This is a well-made effort that could probably use some more time downstairs, and perhaps a little extra warmth in the mug. For now it's pleasant to sip pensively at night. I gotta admit, as a next-nigh worshipper to the gargoyle that encompasses Stone IPA, Ruination and the Bastard (single and Double), I would have expected a little more out of these guys. This is good, but borderline commercial. Let's get back on track, yeah?!

Got a bomber of this at Holiday Market in Royal Oak. Solid pour, with a finger of white head and a light amber color with some golden highlights. Looks good, although the head dissipates too fast. Nose is great - strong fruit, very sweet malt, and spices. Taste is solid, although not as uniquely sweet as the nose. Breadiness, hops at the end. Strong sourness shows up later, which is a bit odd for a Belgian Strong Pale. Unique hops as well. This one was good, although not great - it's a lot more sour than most BSPAs I've tasted, although I'm not sure if that's actually a good thing.

App- This was the same color as liquid butter mixed with gold in the glass. A bit of an aggressive pour yielded a nice and bubbly head. The lace was okay. A bit of a semi dense center but like colored water with the way it looked.

Smell- A good amount of aromatics remained on this one. A bit more alive than the older bottles. More yeast came out and then a bit of a lemon malty balance. A bit of the spice is gone, but I do get some of the ginger. A nice nose but nothing aggressive.

Taste- When you take a sip on this one, it was a bit of a wheat like saison with a bit of a floral taste. Floral, light and airy. A bit of the spice is there but not much. A little bit of the malts come out and not much. A good amount of flavor still remains on this one.

Mouth- A nice medium bubbly body with a bit of a thicker medium carbonation. A bit slick and flavorful. Residual floral malts combine to leave a bit of a meadow feel.

Drink- A very nice and tasty beer. Holiding up quite well. I would like one more of these to sip on at some point. Glad I got to try all the beers. Now to wait till the drop the variants at an event to catch up!